Medellín to Cali

Medellín is a city in Colombia, capital of the Antioquia province. Medellín offers the following points of interest for tourists and photographers;

Botero plaza

Many museums including the museum of Antioquia

Parque explora

Botanical garden of Medellín

Cable car to Aburrá valley and Arví park

Pablo Escobar and the Medellín cartel

Beautiful women

Eternal spring climate

The best Spanish accent

Plaza Botero, Medellín

You’ll find that the best area in the city to stay is El Poblado, you’ll feel safe during the day and night here. Also from El Poblado it is easy to get to the metro and go to other parts of the city. There is a park called Parque Lleras and around here you’ll find lots of restaurants, bars and discos.

You can easily take the metro from El Poblado to downtown Medellín, take note that you should only visit downtown in daylight hours, it doesn’t feel too safe. However, downtown there are many must see places such as, Parque Explora, Antioquia Musuem, Botanical Gardens and the Plaza Botero (pictured above).

A view from La Piedra Del Peñol (The Rock of Guatapé)

The rock of Guatapé is about a 2 hour bus ride away from Medellín. As you can see from the above photo, it’s a worthwhile journey just for the views from the top of the rock. From the terminal del norte bus station, take a bus to Guatapé and get off when you see the rock.

You don’t have to count the steps on the The Rock of Guatapé

There are 650 steps up the rock, you don’t have to count them as every 50 steps the number is written on the step. Returning from the rock, just stand at the opposite side of the road to which you got off and flag the next bus to Medellín down.

Hacienda Napoles, Colombia

Hacienda Napoles is the former home of the famous drug lord Pablo Escobar. It’s possible to visit Hacienda Napoles on a day trip from Medellín by taking a Coonorte Bus from terminal del norte to Doradal. From the Doradal bus station you must call for a rickshaw to pick you up and take you Hacienda Napoles. Make sure you stop at the gates to get a photo at the famous entrance (above).

Pablo Escobar’s hippos

The cost of the rickshaw is around 50,000 pesos for the day. The hacienda is huge and it can get quite hot so I strongly recommend this option. It will also pick you up from the bus station, take you all around the park and back to the bus station in Doradal afterwards.

In the park, the rickshaw driver can take you anywhere you want, he can tell you the route, and you can plan it with him. As he works there everyday he has a good idea of the best route to take to see everything in the time frame you have.

In the park you will find:

Pablo Escobar’s house

Pablo Escobar’s family houses

Pablo Escobar’s huge dinosaurs

Pablo Escobar’s landing strip

Pablo Escobar’s hippos

A newly made zoo

Water park

Butterfly enclosure

Hotels

Restarants

African musuem (In Pablo Escobar’s converted bull ring)

Hacienda Napoles is definitely worth a visit, be it on a day trip from Medellín or on an overnight stay on the way to Bogotá.

Bus from Medellín to Cali, 9 hours, 48,000 pesos

To get to Cali you can take a Bolivariano bus service, from terminal del sur bus station. There are 2 bus stations in Medellín, generally buses going south leave from terminal del sur, and those going north or east leave from terminal del norte.

I’ve been go Bogotà but haven’t yet been to Medellin. I keep hearing only good things about it so I would really like to visit one day. The views from La Piedra del Penol are gorgeous – I would definitely like to climb up there!

Medellin looks like an exciting place to visit. I think the countryside looks beautiful and Plaza Botera would be worthwhile since I am an art lover. I would also love to say I saw Pablo Escobar’s hippos!

Great summary of Medellin! It looks like a very interesting place to visit, especially for fans of the TV show Narcos 🙂 Who would have thought Escobar had hippos!! Good that you also let people know where it is safe to go!

Great piece, the La Piedra Del Peñol looks fantastic! Colombia seems to be the best of South American countries as I have been told by friends that took a recent trip there because of its authenticity.

Ah, that which Narcos made famous! And you’ve visited! It looks super interesting and I’d love to see that stash of million dollars Escobar had framed up though I doubt that’s in his house anymore. Good to know his hippos are still there!

It’s great that Colombia is becoming more welcoming and safe for tourists these days. I have heard that many expats from the US have retired to Medellin so I was a little surprised to hear that you did not feel it would be safe at night. I would love to visit though as it seems like there is a lot to experience and enjoy.

I’ve seen so many people visit Medellin in the past year, that I’ve definitely added it to my bucket list trip! I definitely want to see the view from La Piedra Del Peñol- it’s spectacular! How do you find getting around in Medellin? Is it easy to communicate with locals if you don’t know much Spanish?

It is interesting to know that the Hacienda Napoles used to be a home of a drug lord. I would be very curious to see how massive is the ‘hacienda’. He even has hippos. It would be nice to visit this place someday. It looks kinda laid-back

Wow, the view from La Piedra Del Peñol is incredible! Sounds like it is a slight work out to get up there but the view is totally worth it. I would love to visit Pablo Escobar’s park too. Great tips here!

I don’t doubt of the interest and beauty of this city, but personally I wouldn’t risk visiting it. One of my best friends here in Switzerland is Colombian, (now expat like me) and she keeps telling me terrible stories and discouraging me. What was your general impression? Are tourists more at risk than locals or safer? What impression did to you to travel by land from Medellín to Cali? Did it seem safe?

I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100 positive. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Kudos